Buddy asked me to advise him on new camera as gift for his wife. It's like pulling teeth trying to get info/preferences as to what he's looking for. All he told me is that he'd like to spend around $500, give or take and that its relatively easy to use (and is better than what she has now). The other main thing is that it'd be an upgrade to the current camera, a Nikon Cool Pix L310.

I would have suggested going with one of the in between point and shoot/dslr hybrid compacts or even an entry level deal on standard dslr as there are plenty of deals floating around. Then I saw today's Slick Deals deal on the Panasonic DMC LX100 for under $700 (comes with a $200 gift card). I think I can convince him to drop the extra $200 especially since he'll get it back in gift card and he'd likely spend more $$$ on a small bag, batteries and cards anyway. My biggest concern is that it's over a year old now I think.

For anyone interested, here's the link. I'd buy one for myself to supplement my Canon 6D but I just had the car and travel expenses noted on here recently.

Panny deal

Anyone have a no brainer, absolutely no question "better" suggestion or input? Fire away... thanks!

I don't know much about that particular camera, except that it has fast lesn. I did post that deal a few days ago. BH also had the black version with $200 gift card, if you happen to like Black better than Silver.

Other than that, without much information, it is hard to make a recommendation.

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space-time
I don't know much about that particular camera, except that it has fast lesn. I did post that deal a few days ago. BH also had the black version with $200 gift card, if you happen to like Black better than Silver.

Other than that, without much information, it is hard to make a recommendation.

Agreed, it is hard to give input. I missed your post, but had seen the BH update. It's such a good deal it's hard not to suggest it to him.

Thanks.

I think that LX100 is a killer deal. It's an excellent camera for the money.

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

I try to limit my suggestions to the cash limit. $700 is not $500.

If the user isn't a big time camera person and was already pleased with nikon she had, it's worth considering simply getting a newer, better nikon in the camera style. Sometimes getting a newer, better thing means sitting down with the manual to learn how it all works. With a newer, better nikon, she'll already know most of it and will be thrilled at how everything is the 'same' only better. When manual sessions are required, sometimes that means that the new thing will just sit around never getting used.

I'd suggest the Sony RX100/M2 currently at $499 at Amazon. We have the next version and it takes amazing photos.

If you get the Sony RX100/M2, make sure you get the Deluxe bundle, same price an you get a few extras.

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hal
I try to limit my suggestions to the cash limit. $700 is not $500.

If the user isn't a big time camera person and was already pleased with nikon she had, it's worth considering simply getting a newer, better nikon in the camera style. Sometimes getting a newer, better thing means sitting down with the manual to learn how it all works. With a newer, better nikon, she'll already know most of it and will be thrilled at how everything is the 'same' only better. When manual sessions are required, sometimes that means that the new thing will just sit around never getting used.

Valid points, hal.

I can justify the added expense as noted because he'll likely need to buy the associated goods as previously mentioned. That stuff adds up quick.

As fast as simplicity, those external dials I think make it easier to make adjustments without needing to dig through a menu file structure. And if she's happy with fully auto, it's obviously still an option. I don't think the new camera would be overwhelming to learn, but again I appreciate the concern.

Regarding the Rx-100 series, aren't there two generations newer available since that one? Is there a risk of that one being obsolete even considering the obvious savings?

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(vikm)
Regarding the Rx-100 series, aren't there two generations newer available since that one? Is there a risk of that one being obsolete even considering the obvious savings?

Not really. I've been spending a ton of time looking at that line and they're all awesome - newer versions do a b tree job under low light. Under good light they're practically equal.

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Playing devil's advocate - has the buddy's wife complained that the Cool Pix L310 isn't cutting it as a camera?

Yes, there are two newer gens of the RX100's. If your friend can swing $750 for the RX100/M3, it does have a very bright f1.8-f2.8 lens at the cost of some zoom.

I think either is a great camera. Not sure how either would be obsolete?

I'd chose the Sony for better image quality but I'm a camera nerd. Ymmv

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bhaveshp
I'd suggest the Sony RX100/M2 currently at $499 at Amazon. We have the next version and it takes amazing photos.

I was going to suggest whichever version of the RX100 sells for less than $500. Since the II version fits that bill then get it. No excuses.

Thanks again for the thoughtful input.

I don't know the circumstances that have led to him thinking she needs a new camera. Thet did just come back from a trip to South America so maybe they realized a new camera was in order?

If the older model on that camera is sti quite good and maybe not worth the extra $$$ I'll add it as an option. I told him I'd give him a few to choose from.

Thanks again.

There are a lot of pros and cons to consider. For example, the LX100 has a good viewfinder and a lot of manual control. It has a fantastic lens and a large sensor so can take great low light photos and allow shallow depth of field (i.e. everything out of focus except the subject) when you want it (e.g. portraits). On the negative side, it's bulkier than the Sony RX100 series, though not by a whole lot. However, it's bulky enough that it is not pocketable, whereas the Sonys are.

The RX100 series is a great set of cameras with a decent size sensor that is probably equivalent to the LX100s because even though smaller because it has better technology. It also has a fantastic lens. The RX100i and ii have a slightly longer zoom but at the expense of a less wide wide angle (24mm vs 28mm) than the later models. They also don't have a viewfinder. For me, that's a deal killer but many people don't care. The RX100iii and iv have a pop up viewfinder and have a wider aperture over the whole zoom range. This is really nice, but they both cost a heck of a lot of money. Also, the Sony's don't have the easy manual control of the LX100 and the interface is pretty sucky.

Of all these, that slickdeals LX100 deal is really a great price. However, the lack of pocketability compared to the Sony's is a big deal to some people (i.e. me).

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2015 09:35PM by davester.

Get her an Etch-a-Sketch.......





Then her Cool Pix L310 will start looking a lot better.....